Senior Contract Expert

Position Brief

The Senior Contracts Expert is responsible for the ongoing management of Contractors within a Service Area including all phases of contract administration to deliver the requirements of assigned Department

Functional Responsibilities

• Provide professional advice, expertise and practical assistance to PWAs DNO&M in all contractual matters from inception of project till close-out of contracts.
• Responsible for the Contract Management and Administration by continuously reviewing contracts in Oracle to reduce the risks on the Department by ensuring that all ongoing contracts remain in/are restored to compliance.
• Ensure the improvement of contract change management and variation order processes to expedite and process approvals more efficiently.
• Provide expert advice on updated procedures and tools and highlight good/bad examples of practice to Area Engineers/ Project Coordinators.
• Ensure the improvement of procedures to identify projects that are coming to completion within three months to ensure that all contractual documents remain valid.
• Manage contract settlements and liaise with Departments (EBSD, Contracts, Legal) and Tender Committee to expedite timely contract close-out.
• Evaluate, resolve, provide recommendations on claims and advise of any issue that may result in a claim.
• Manage the closing out of old contracts and follow up with Contractors and Project Coordinators to complete in a timely manner.
• Recommend improvements to Client standard contracts based on operational performance.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and ethics on all contractual matters.
• Review the variations to determine its completeness and ensure that no variations are issued without detailed scope of work, sketches/drawings and the Material Take off list. Ensure timely evaluation and conclusion of the variations.
• Evaluate with DNO&M, Contractors performance at Contract completion, Claims and Risk Management.
• Evaluate critically all claims raised by contractors and advice DNO&M of the admissibility or otherwise of the same. Apply change management and claims prevention expertise in the management of contracts and administer claims management strategies in protecting PWAs commercial interests and thus balance the Risk Factor.
• Review the existing process of claims management and dispute resolution, and develop them for enhanced efficiency, productivity and control, provide advice on appropriate claims minimization strategies.
• Manage Sub- Contractors payment complaints.
• Participate in potential dispute defusing scenarios and in negotiating / drafting release agreement including provision of acceleration.
• Evaluate Claims and Extension of Time issues Loss & Expense Claims from contractors and advise tender committees.
• Raise any issues that require consideration to the Head of Contracts Control Section for advice on actions/ recommendations.
• Perform other duties/ tasks as required

Qualification:

• Minimum Bachelors Degree in Engineering or equivalent
• Education qualification obtained from North America, West Europe, Australia
• Holder of Chartered Membership in relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering) would be an advantage
• Holder of current/valid Qatar Driving License would be an advantage

Experience:

• Minimum of 20 years of experience preferably in water/ wastewater industry.
• Experience of working within a multi-cultural environment preferably in the Middle East
• Broad experience in construction sector with demonstrated experience in Contract Management
• Experience in projects involving Government Departments and Outsourced contractors/consultants.
• Proficient in Tender Documents compilation, preparation of Bills of Quality, interim claim evaluation and final account is compulsory
• Computer knowledge related to MS office etc.
• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders and staff at all levels within the Organisation
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English is mandatory.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in Arabic is preferred